Description
A warm, comforting creamy rice pudding dessert that combines simple ingredients to create an extraordinary treat that has been enjoyed across cultures for centuries.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup short-grain white rice (Arborio rice works wonderfully for extra creaminess)
- 4 cups whole milk (substitute with coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (or ⅓ cup honey for a more complex sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ cup heavy cream (coconut cream for dairy-free option)
- ⅓ cup raisins (optional – or substitute with dried cranberries or cherries)
- 2 tablespoons butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
- Zest of one lemon
Instructions
- Rinse 1 cup of rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the rinsed rice with 4 cups of milk, sugar, and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 25-30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes until rice is tender and mixture has thickened slightly but remains creamy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and heavy cream. Temper the egg mixture by slowly adding about 1 cup of the hot rice mixture while whisking constantly.
- Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the pot and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, cinnamon, butter, lemon zest, and raisins if using.
- Let cool for 20 minutes before serving.
Notes
- The pudding will continue to thicken as it cools, so stop cooking when it still seems a bit loose.
- For a healthier version, substitute brown rice (increase cooking time by 15 minutes), use maple syrup instead of sugar, or try non-dairy milks.
- Place plastic wrap directly on the surface when storing to prevent a skin from forming.
- For best flavor, prepare up to 2 days before serving as flavors improve after resting for 24 hours.
- To reheat, add a splash of milk and heat gently, stirring occasionally.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 18g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 5g
Keywords: rice pudding, creamy dessert, comfort food, traditional dessert, homemade pudding